Updated: Sep 22, 2019, 09:00 IST

10 Times Kerala Was Way Ahead Of Other States In Terms Of LGBTQ Inclusivity


India isn’t exactly a pioneer when it comes to gender rights. When it comes to the equality and liberty of the LGBTQ community, things are even worse. Sidelined in most parts of the country and only recently recognised by the law, trans people, however, are struggling to get state support and protection.

While most parts of the country lag behind with their regressive practices in this regard, Kerala is one state which is at least attempting to do things right. Here are 10 reasons why we’re cheering the state on.

1. Kerala’s state government has a policy which has made sex-change surgeries in government hospitals free.

One of the biggest struggles for trans people is being able to pay for sex reassignment surgeries. As of 2018, Kerala has three government hospitals where this is done for free.

2. Kerala also has reservations for trans students in colleges.

Since discrimination against trans people in schools and society is rampant, it is extremely difficult for them to make it through school and college without being bullied or denied admission. Such a law gives them a state-sanctioned space in educational institutions. However, the number of additional seats given is only two.

3. Kannur district has allocated a portion of its budget solely towards training trans people and giving them employment opportunities.

For trans people, gainful employment is one of the biggest concerns. Remedying that not only requires a tiny quota in colleges, but vocational courses and skill training, which Kannur’s provision helps with.

4. Kochi saw the opening of the first all-transgender school in 2016.

This school was started by trans activist Vijayraja Mallika, and had students between the ages of 25 and 50. The main aim of this school is to help these people give their Board exams and get vocational training so they can get jobs. It also has transgender teachers. Not only that, the school also has one seat reserved for the disabled.

5. Transgendered people were given jobs in the Kochi Metro as part of a government initiative.

Twenty three trans people were appointed across 11 Metro stations in Kochi in the Aluva-Palarivattom corridor. The posts included those at the ticket counter as vendors as well as housekeeping at the stations.

6. The Government Medical College in Kottayam has a special clinic just for trans people.

Health concerns are a big issue for the trans community because stigmas and taboos associated with them often result in their neglect. That’s why a proposition to make a clinic of this kind was made so that doctors who specialised in the concerns unique to trans people, especially those who had undergone sex reassignment surgeries, could treat trans people well.

7. In 2016, then President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated an institution called "Gender Park" in Kozhikode. 

Opened primarily for women, this centre is “a platform bringing together gender policy, research, education, and social initiatives” which also includes addressing LGBTQ issues. It was an initiative of Kerala’s Department of Social Justice.

8. Kerala is also a pioneer in terms of LGBTQ representation in theatre and cinema.

While Bollywood still makes caricatures out of gay people, the films made in Kerala--such as recent ones like Mumbai Police, and older ones like Ritu and Sancharram, depict the lives of the LGBTQ population in a more sensitised manner.

Not only that, India’s first LGBTQ-theatre group was launched in Kerala at the state’s Pride Parade. Called Q Rang, the group also performed at the march.

9. Kerala is full of instances of immense personal successes of trans people.

We recently reported how Kerala’s Heidi Saadiya made history after becoming the state’s first trans broadcast journalist. The person who hired her, the MD of Kairali TV, credited the government’s progressive mindset: "Already the government has taken a lot of efforts to bring trans people to the forefront… We found her suitable for the job and nothing stopped us from giving her an opportunity."

Not just her, but Zara Sheikha, a trans woman, made headlines for becoming the first trans person from Kerala to get a job at an MNC, inspiring us all.

10. It might seem frivolous, but Kerala’s fashion scene also creates space for trans people.

A brand called Red Lotus showed everyone what inclusivity is by hiring two transgender models for their saree campaign. Maya Menon and Gowri Savithri then modelled the collection--aptly named ‘Mazhavil’ which means rainbow--which was made as a tribute to the LGBTQ community.

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